Giovanni DeSimone was a mid-century ceramicist whose lively designs seem primed to elicit smiles. He created colorful vessels, platters and wall art, decorated with festive figures, flowers and fauna in a style that reveals an appreciation for Cubism and folk art.
DeSimone was born in Palermo, Sicily, in 1930. His parents were aristocrats, and as a young child, he traveled to Somalia. It was here that he grew fond of African artistic traditions. After World War II, DeSimone moved to the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. He attended the Istituto d’Arte per la Ceramica and discovered a passion for pottery. Upon graduation, DeSimone moved back to Palermo and fell in love with Eliana, who became his wife. The couple had three daughters together.
DeSimone opened his famous ceramics studio in the 1960s, producing dinnerware, serveware and decorative tiles. As the studio grew in success and popularity, DeSimone hired more artists to help with the work. In its heyday, the studio had as many as six ceramicists producing work. While each creator had a unique style, DeSimone set a standard for the colors and themes to be used.
DeSimone died in 1991, passing his workshop down to his daughters Margherita and Susanna. Today, the company still operates in Palermo under the name La Fabbrica della Ceramica, producing ceramic pieces inspired by DeSimone's original designs.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Giovanni DeSimone decorative objects, serveware and wall decorations.
$236Sale Price|20% Off
Giovanni Desimone Hand Painted Ceramic Jug / Pitcher, Italy, 1985
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Giovanni Desimone Hand Painted Ceramic Jug / Pitcher, Italy, 1985.
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Hand Painted Ceramic Figural Pitcher Vase by Giovanni de Simone
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand-painted ceramic sculptural pitcher/vase by Sicilian aristocrat turned artist, Giovanni De Simone (1964, Italy). Unique, figural form with hand-painted details in De Simone's sig...
Ceramic
Vintage Haldon Group Hand-Painted Ceramic Grapes Pitcher
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Vintage Haldon Group Hand-Painted Ceramic Grapes Pitcher A charming vintage ceramic pitcher by The Haldon Group, beautifully modeled as a cascading cluster of ripe purple grapes wit...
Ceramic
Vintage Haldon Group Hand-Painted Ceramic Apple Pitcher
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A charming vintage ceramic apple-form pitcher by The Haldon Group, beautifully modeled as a ripe apple with a gracefully curved stem forming the handle and sculpted leaves framing th...
Ceramic
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica lemons jug / pitcher in multicolor glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the sh...
Ceramic, Majolica
Spanish Talavera Hand Painted Pottery Pitcher Vase, Vintage Signed
By Talavera de la Reyna
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage ceramic pitcher vase features a traditional rounded jar form with sculptural handle, decorated with the characteristic hand-painted Talavera de la Reina abstract floral garla...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Majolica, Pottery
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Oranges Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica oranges jug / pitcher in orange and green glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the shape of a bunch of ...
Ceramic, Majolica
Vintage Italian Ceramic Pitcher by Bassano, Mid 20th Century
By Bassano
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful vintage ceramic jug by Bassano made in Italy in mid 20th century. Bassano ceramics (also known as "Bassano del Grappa") is a traditional Italian craft produced in the city ...
Ceramic
DeSimone Hand Painted Ceramic Water Jug
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Fulton, CA
Hand painted ceramic pitcher by Giovanni DeSimone. Italy, circa. 1970's. Signed on base. 6.75 inches high. 6.5 inches wide. 4 inches deep.
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Ceramic Pitcher by Bassano, Mid 20th Century
By Bassano
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful vintage ceramic jug by Bassano made in Italy in mid 20th century. Bassano ceramics (also known as "Bassano del Grappa") is a traditional Italian craft produced in the city ...
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Gecko Pitcher, Hand-Painted Porcelain, 1960s Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wonderful and whimsical Italian Gecko pitcher. All hand painted and glazed in a white dimpled background with green accents and big black eyes. A rare piece.
Porcelain
Victorian Hand Painted Majolica Gurgle Fish Ceramic Pitcher
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This late 19th-century 1180 English Majolica gurgling trout ceramic jug is a stunning example of late Victorian English craftsmanship. The vibrant glaze highlights the intricate deta...
Ceramic
Glazed Ceramic Gurgle Fish Jug Pitcher by Vallauris, 1950s
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Oversized Mid-Century Modernist glazed ceramic gurgling fish water jug / pitcher. Manufactured by Vallauris, France, 1950s Eye-catching hand painted brown, orange and blue-green large Majolica ceramic vase, fish glug jug...
Majolica, Ceramic
$253Sale Price|56% Off
H 4.14 in Dm 3.75 in
Hand-Painted Ceramic Pitcher Vase, Floral Design, Portuguese, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handmade, handpainted Portuguese floral organic modern ceramic pitcher vase. Blue and ochre colored birds in flight holding a green branch and floral lea...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Pottery
Sold
H 4.93 in Dm 3.94 in
Desimone Hand Painted Ceramic Pitcher, Italian Pottery circa 1960 Era Aldo Londi
By Giovanni DeSimone
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Desimone, hand painted ceramic pitcher, Italian Pottery, circa 1960 - Era Aldo Londi Very nice pitcher representing a laughting man with ...
Ceramic